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Absolute Madness: A True Story of a Serial Killer, Race, and a City Divided
Absolute Madness tells the disturbing true story of Joseph Christopher, a white serial killer who targeted black males and struck fear into the residents of Buffalo and New York City in the 1980s. Dubbed both the .22-Caliber Killer and the Midtown Slasher, Christopher allegedly claimed eighteen victims during a savage four-month spree across the state.
The investigation, aided by famed FBI profiler John Douglas, drew national attention and biting criticism from Jesse Jackson and other civil rights leaders. The killer, when at last he was unmasked, seemed an unlikely candidate--a quiet, well-liked, church-going young man--to have held New York in a grip of terror.
His capture was neither the end of the story nor the end of the racial strife, which flared anew during circuitous prosecutions and judicial rulings that prompted cries of a double standard in the justice system. Both a wrenching true crime story and an incisive portrait of dangerously discordant race relations in America, Absolute Madness also chronicles a lonely, vulnerable man's tragic descent into madness and the failure of the American mental health system that refused his pleas for help.
The investigation, aided by famed FBI profiler John Douglas, drew national attention and biting criticism from Jesse Jackson and other civil rights leaders. The killer, when at last he was unmasked, seemed an unlikely candidate--a quiet, well-liked, church-going young man--to have held New York in a grip of terror.
His capture was neither the end of the story nor the end of the racial strife, which flared anew during circuitous prosecutions and judicial rulings that prompted cries of a double standard in the justice system. Both a wrenching true crime story and an incisive portrait of dangerously discordant race relations in America, Absolute Madness also chronicles a lonely, vulnerable man's tragic descent into madness and the failure of the American mental health system that refused his pleas for help.
496 pages, Hardcover
First published November 7, 2017
86 people are currently reading
2628 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Pelonero
5 books69 followersCatherine Pelonero is the author of the New York Times bestseller, Kitty Genovese: A True Account of a Public Murder and Its Private Consequences, a nonfiction book about the notorious 1964 murder case. Kitty Genovese twice made the New York Times Best Sellers list, reaching #10 in crime and punishment and reaching #1 on Amazon bestsellers in biography and memoir.
As a true crime author and commentator, Catherine appears on national TV news broadcasts and crime shows, including episodes of the Emmy-winning series A Crime to Remember, It Takes a Killer, Fox Files, Murderous Affairs, and Gangsters: America's Most Evil. See IMDB for a list of shows and episodes. She was a contributing writer for Investigation Discovery’s CrimeFeed.
Her latest book, Absolute Madness: A True Story of a Serial Killer, Race, and a City Divided, is a nonfiction account of Joseph Christopher, a white serial killer who targeted black men in a crime spree across New York state. Praised by noted FBI profiler John Douglas as “A gripping account of a complex and controversial case,” Absolute Madness was published in November 2017 to critical acclaim.
As a playwright, Catherine Pelonero’s titles include Family Names and Awesome Ghosts of Ontario, both published by Samuel French, Inc. Other plays include Puppies with Papers, a finalist for the Heideman Award at Actors Theatre of Louisville, and Another Effing Family Drama, which premiered at the 2011 Hollywood Fringe Festival and was chosen for Best of the Fringe.
Catherine Pelonero grew up in Buffalo, New York. She was formerly a member of the Actors Studio Playwrights & Directors Unit and Sisters in Crime and is a lifetime member of the Alliance of Los Angeles Playwrights (ALAP). She lives in Los Angeles.
As a true crime author and commentator, Catherine appears on national TV news broadcasts and crime shows, including episodes of the Emmy-winning series A Crime to Remember, It Takes a Killer, Fox Files, Murderous Affairs, and Gangsters: America's Most Evil. See IMDB for a list of shows and episodes. She was a contributing writer for Investigation Discovery’s CrimeFeed.
Her latest book, Absolute Madness: A True Story of a Serial Killer, Race, and a City Divided, is a nonfiction account of Joseph Christopher, a white serial killer who targeted black men in a crime spree across New York state. Praised by noted FBI profiler John Douglas as “A gripping account of a complex and controversial case,” Absolute Madness was published in November 2017 to critical acclaim.
As a playwright, Catherine Pelonero’s titles include Family Names and Awesome Ghosts of Ontario, both published by Samuel French, Inc. Other plays include Puppies with Papers, a finalist for the Heideman Award at Actors Theatre of Louisville, and Another Effing Family Drama, which premiered at the 2011 Hollywood Fringe Festival and was chosen for Best of the Fringe.
Catherine Pelonero grew up in Buffalo, New York. She was formerly a member of the Actors Studio Playwrights & Directors Unit and Sisters in Crime and is a lifetime member of the Alliance of Los Angeles Playwrights (ALAP). She lives in Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 6, 2018
True crime author Catherine Pelonero presents the facts in what has become an all too typical occurrence in our society when individuals have fallen through the mental health wormhole of our nation to become serial killers or mass murderers. From page one I was intrigued by how the story unfolded from the first murders in Buffalo where the suspect used a .22 caliber gun and on into New York City where he stabbed several unarmed men to death. It was like a puzzle unfolding how the Police were able to piece together who the suspect might be even though he did not resemble his wanted posters in any way. While the killer targeted blacks, he felt that he was not a racist while many believed he was. If Joesph Christopher had received treatment when he asked for it would his victims still be alive? Why are we still having these problems of individuals in our society not receiving help? Get your copy today!
I received this hardcover book from #Goodreads in exchange for an honest review of this novel published by Skyhorse Publishing November of 2017.
I received this hardcover book from #Goodreads in exchange for an honest review of this novel published by Skyhorse Publishing November of 2017.
July 19, 2021
Absolute Madness is a true crime novel. The book follows the crimes and case of Joseph Christopher, the .22 Caliber Killer and the Midtown Slasher since his first victim. This book is told in chronological order using information from law enforcement, witnesses, family, friends, and the media. The book is written in the style of dry police procedural and nothing is embellished or dramatized for entertainment effect.
Absolute Madness is divided into five parts and an epilogue. The first part focuses on the crimes and victims of the .22 Caliber Killer. The second part focuses on the crimes and victims of the Midtown Slasher. The third part focuses on who Joseph Christopher is and his indictment, beginning of court trails, evaluations of whether he was competent to stand trial. The fourth part focuses on observations made by guards, a few witnesses, close friends or family relatives about Christopher, and Christopher's sentencing for his .22 caliber killings. The fifth part focuses on Christopher being shuffled around from jails to mental hospitals to psychiatrists and more court trials. The epilogue wraps up what happened to Christopher eventually, and people's reflections/opinions about Christopher and his crimes several years later.
Pelonero does a fantastic job stating all the facts and impressions of people connected to the case at the time of the crimes, and reflections looking back on this case. I enjoyed that Pelonero writes true crime as the crimes unfold in real time. Thus, you're transported back in time and absorbing information as law enforcement, the media, and the community discovered it when it was occurring. I also enjoy the amount of research and wealth of information that was done to tell this story from an unbiased point of view. I never felt that Pelonero was influencing the perception or narrative of the cases, rather, she merely presented all the facts and primary and secondary accounts from these crimes.
At first, it was a bit difficult to keep track of everything in the beginning and all the law enforcement names as the author tends to give all the facts known, including everyone that was somewhat involved in the case. But after a couple chapters, it becomes easy to follow along.
The account of Joseph Christopher and his horrific crimes is a fascinating read as we also learn the descent of his mental illness. Pelonero does an amazing job of storytelling while staying factual and authentic to the case. I enjoyed all the eyewitness accounts, and statements from the victim's families/friends as well as those from Christopher's. The short back-stories of the victims were well done and gave honor to their memory.
I enjoyed also learning the ins and outs and politics that happens within law enforcement and court trials. The evaluations and accounts from the psychiatrists also gave an eye opening experience for those who go through the system and mental illness.
Overall, this true crime novel was well written and gives an inside look to these horrific crimes committed and trying to achieve justice. The book is very hefty with a wealth of information from all different types of accounts that were connected in one way to the case. I HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone who enjoys reading about true crime or wants an inside look into how court trials work, and how law enforcement solve cases. I look forward to more works about true crime from Pelonero.
Absolute Madness is divided into five parts and an epilogue. The first part focuses on the crimes and victims of the .22 Caliber Killer. The second part focuses on the crimes and victims of the Midtown Slasher. The third part focuses on who Joseph Christopher is and his indictment, beginning of court trails, evaluations of whether he was competent to stand trial. The fourth part focuses on observations made by guards, a few witnesses, close friends or family relatives about Christopher, and Christopher's sentencing for his .22 caliber killings. The fifth part focuses on Christopher being shuffled around from jails to mental hospitals to psychiatrists and more court trials. The epilogue wraps up what happened to Christopher eventually, and people's reflections/opinions about Christopher and his crimes several years later.
Pelonero does a fantastic job stating all the facts and impressions of people connected to the case at the time of the crimes, and reflections looking back on this case. I enjoyed that Pelonero writes true crime as the crimes unfold in real time. Thus, you're transported back in time and absorbing information as law enforcement, the media, and the community discovered it when it was occurring. I also enjoy the amount of research and wealth of information that was done to tell this story from an unbiased point of view. I never felt that Pelonero was influencing the perception or narrative of the cases, rather, she merely presented all the facts and primary and secondary accounts from these crimes.
At first, it was a bit difficult to keep track of everything in the beginning and all the law enforcement names as the author tends to give all the facts known, including everyone that was somewhat involved in the case. But after a couple chapters, it becomes easy to follow along.
The account of Joseph Christopher and his horrific crimes is a fascinating read as we also learn the descent of his mental illness. Pelonero does an amazing job of storytelling while staying factual and authentic to the case. I enjoyed all the eyewitness accounts, and statements from the victim's families/friends as well as those from Christopher's. The short back-stories of the victims were well done and gave honor to their memory.
I enjoyed also learning the ins and outs and politics that happens within law enforcement and court trials. The evaluations and accounts from the psychiatrists also gave an eye opening experience for those who go through the system and mental illness.
Overall, this true crime novel was well written and gives an inside look to these horrific crimes committed and trying to achieve justice. The book is very hefty with a wealth of information from all different types of accounts that were connected in one way to the case. I HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone who enjoys reading about true crime or wants an inside look into how court trials work, and how law enforcement solve cases. I look forward to more works about true crime from Pelonero.
June 25, 2024
Overall: 4 stars
This was a really fantastic true crime book that actually taught me a lot about some tough American history I didn't know about racial violence and white supremacy during the 1980s.
This book essentially has two parts: the first focusing on the crimes themselves as well as the backdrop of racial violence in New England during the 1970s-80s, and the second diving into killer Joseph Christopher's backstory and trial and subsequent convictions. This is a book with very little forensics or investigation because Christopher confessed shortly after the crimes, so there wasn't really much of a successful investigation at all. The bulk of the second half of the story focused on the trials and the issues of considering Christopher legally insane, given his schizophrenia. If you're the kind of true crime nerd who finds in-depth trial coverage interesting, you'll enjoy this; otherwise, you may find the last half of the book a bit dry.
I'm going to deduct one star because the book kept implying that it wasn't proven that Christopher had a racial motive, and thus the killings weren't really racial violence, but I find that a hard argument to believe. Even if Christopher himself didn't write some white supremacist screed or deliberately confess to having a racial motive, someone doesn't accidentally kill 17ish Black men without race playing a part. There's definitely a racial motive there, even if Christopher wasn't able, in his schizophrenia, to identify it as such. To be fair, the author doesn't excuse Christohper's crimes, and the argument comes off as a bit of a pedantic "well, actually!" sort of analysis, but I found it not-helpful and a little naive.
This was a really fantastic true crime book that actually taught me a lot about some tough American history I didn't know about racial violence and white supremacy during the 1980s.
This book essentially has two parts: the first focusing on the crimes themselves as well as the backdrop of racial violence in New England during the 1970s-80s, and the second diving into killer Joseph Christopher's backstory and trial and subsequent convictions. This is a book with very little forensics or investigation because Christopher confessed shortly after the crimes, so there wasn't really much of a successful investigation at all. The bulk of the second half of the story focused on the trials and the issues of considering Christopher legally insane, given his schizophrenia. If you're the kind of true crime nerd who finds in-depth trial coverage interesting, you'll enjoy this; otherwise, you may find the last half of the book a bit dry.
I'm going to deduct one star because the book kept implying that it wasn't proven that Christopher had a racial motive, and thus the killings weren't really racial violence, but I find that a hard argument to believe. Even if Christopher himself didn't write some white supremacist screed or deliberately confess to having a racial motive, someone doesn't accidentally kill 17ish Black men without race playing a part. There's definitely a racial motive there, even if Christopher wasn't able, in his schizophrenia, to identify it as such. To be fair, the author doesn't excuse Christohper's crimes, and the argument comes off as a bit of a pedantic "well, actually!" sort of analysis, but I found it not-helpful and a little naive.
August 17, 2019
A deeply researched and thoughtfully written book that told me a great deal about Joe Christopher that I never knew. A tragic picture of the ways a competency exam, performed by an incompetent evaluator, can make justice go wrong. It also makes clear that finding the right psychiatric answers and talented lawyers doing everything they're allowed to do may not be enough to bring a just result. Very well written. Highly recommended.
April 18, 2018
a crazy story of a young man turned killer it is about racism and mental health issues I truly believe Joseph Christopher was mentally ill and was before he started killing but no one saw the signs a good but sad story for the people he killed and for him
November 13, 2017
I won this book on Good Read giveaways for my honest opinion and I honestly really enjoyed it. Once I got into it, I didn't want to put it down sometimes even while my stomach growled, that's how bad I didn't care about much else. I thought that the writing was superb and the facts were timely investigated. There weren't many chapters but in between it didn't matter as the book had my full attention.
I liked the ppl in this book and felt sorry for the victims and their families. I almost felt a part of the story, the author sucked you in. Also, I could feel the attorneys frustration and the crimes of hysteria on the States this was happening too.
I would read more by this author.
I received this copy in very good condition.
Thanks again Good Reads and thank you Skyhorse Publishing for the opportunity to emerge myself into this great novel.
And of course the author for making all this possible.
Cherie'
I liked the ppl in this book and felt sorry for the victims and their families. I almost felt a part of the story, the author sucked you in. Also, I could feel the attorneys frustration and the crimes of hysteria on the States this was happening too.
I would read more by this author.
I received this copy in very good condition.
Thanks again Good Reads and thank you Skyhorse Publishing for the opportunity to emerge myself into this great novel.
And of course the author for making all this possible.
Cherie'
April 11, 2019
Very interesting read about an unlikely white serial killer who killed blacks.
The story tells of the murders, the victims, the various investigations, and ultimately how the perpetrator was discovered and caught.
More interesting is a look at how the justice system worked in this case, how mentally ill the killer was, and how the mental health system failed him...and his victims. Taking a look at how mental illness claimed this individual was unsettling, but informative. Taking a look at the American criminal justice and how it works, and doesn’t work so well sometimes was also worth realizing.
You know this ends with a mentally serial killer being put to death, but it took years of process.
The story tells of the murders, the victims, the various investigations, and ultimately how the perpetrator was discovered and caught.
More interesting is a look at how the justice system worked in this case, how mentally ill the killer was, and how the mental health system failed him...and his victims. Taking a look at how mental illness claimed this individual was unsettling, but informative. Taking a look at the American criminal justice and how it works, and doesn’t work so well sometimes was also worth realizing.
You know this ends with a mentally serial killer being put to death, but it took years of process.
December 18, 2018
You're probably going to get far more out of this book if you're familiar with Buffalo than if you're not.
On its own, it's a straightforward story of a little-known serial killer.
To someone who's from the Buffalo area but wasn't born until after most of these events transpired, and whose family didn't talk about it... I knew about the city's reputation for crime and systemic racism, but this book really provided me with a huge amount of insight on a specific part of Buffalo's history that I barely knew about.
On its own, it's a straightforward story of a little-known serial killer.
To someone who's from the Buffalo area but wasn't born until after most of these events transpired, and whose family didn't talk about it... I knew about the city's reputation for crime and systemic racism, but this book really provided me with a huge amount of insight on a specific part of Buffalo's history that I barely knew about.
February 20, 2020
I think this is an important story of a white terrorist that needed to be told. It begs the question: why have I not heard of him before now when he killed/wounded 17 African Americans and POC in an escalating frenzy? Having said that, I think the author missed an attempt at a far more nuanced conversation about race in America. There was a lot of retroactive tone policing. Definitely wanting for a more compassionate treatment of how the African American community of Buffalo reacted to such a disturbed racist killer on the loose.
February 8, 2022
Excellently Researched and Very Well Written
When I first became aware of this case a few years ago there was so little information on YouTube and a few other spaces that I thought some serial murderer was playing off the son of Sam killings. .44 cal to .22 cal. Cruel joke from some copycat. The stuff I was watching and reading were saying there were no suspects and that no one has ever been charged.
Thanks to the author for taking the deepest dive possible into this case. This outstanding book was outstanding!
When I first became aware of this case a few years ago there was so little information on YouTube and a few other spaces that I thought some serial murderer was playing off the son of Sam killings. .44 cal to .22 cal. Cruel joke from some copycat. The stuff I was watching and reading were saying there were no suspects and that no one has ever been charged.
Thanks to the author for taking the deepest dive possible into this case. This outstanding book was outstanding!
April 28, 2018
If you like police procedurals without ANY flowery language or creative narration, this might be the book for you. The first half is detail-oriented chronicling of crimes, and the second half is sort of an inadvertent commentary/criticism of the NYC justice system in the 80s. I tend to like my true crime books a bit more embellished.
July 11, 2018
The true story of Joseph Christopher, a white serial killer who targeted black males and struck fear into the residents of Buffalo and New York City in the 1980s. Dubbed both the .22-Caliber Killer and the Midtown Slasher, Christopher allegedly claimed eighteen victims during a savage four-month spree across the state. An absorbing true crime story but needed more editing and a tighter narrative.
April 20, 2019
A look at our legal system and mental illness
Three stars. The details of these crimes were examined but in a somewhat disjointed way. Sadly, the truth about why Joseph Christopher Miller may never be known. The author critiques the justice system's handling of those who are mentally ill.
Three stars. The details of these crimes were examined but in a somewhat disjointed way. Sadly, the truth about why Joseph Christopher Miller may never be known. The author critiques the justice system's handling of those who are mentally ill.
August 14, 2023
This was a difficult book to read.
What's truly baffling is by the time you put the book down you have this feeling in your gut that something important was missing.
You go away thinking did Joseph Christopher really do these terrible things.
The author spent so much time on his insanity that you go away feeling incredibly sceptical.
Was he the right person to put away for these crimes?
What's truly baffling is by the time you put the book down you have this feeling in your gut that something important was missing.
You go away thinking did Joseph Christopher really do these terrible things.
The author spent so much time on his insanity that you go away feeling incredibly sceptical.
Was he the right person to put away for these crimes?
December 5, 2024
A fascinating story about an individual who may or may not have been insane at the time of his murders. And that made the book all that more enjoyable, the question of his mental health being debated, argued, tested, and ultimately unresolved though he was found guilty in a court of law. Was he insane, a racist, or something else? An excellent read.
April 1, 2018
Very detailed
After reading about 20% of the book, I just didn't care any more, not about the killer, not about the victims, and not about the police. Too much dry detail. No excitement.
After reading about 20% of the book, I just didn't care any more, not about the killer, not about the victims, and not about the police. Too much dry detail. No excitement.
May 10, 2019
A very sad story
Thirteen lives lost.
A very sad suspect genuinely guilty.
A criminal justice system that failed.
Nothing good came from this story.
Thirteen lives lost.
A very sad suspect genuinely guilty.
A criminal justice system that failed.
Nothing good came from this story.
January 9, 2020
This was a really good read about a case that I knew very little about. It looked not just at the crimes but the effect it had on the community.
October 23, 2022
Excellent
This book is un-put-downable! It is well written and scrupulously researched. At the end, I believe there were more questions that remained unanswered than answered.
This book is un-put-downable! It is well written and scrupulously researched. At the end, I believe there were more questions that remained unanswered than answered.
May 10, 2023
At times, I felt I had more information than necessary, often leaving me confused. Otherwise, it was an interesting read on a serial killer I had not heard of before.
Want to read
January 6, 2024Bookmark...
Chapter 2
Chapter 2
January 25, 2021
Meticulously Researched
The author failed, miserably, to make the crimes OR the perpetrator anything but dull. I do, in a very heartfelt manner, apologize to the family and friends of the victims! It's not at all my intention to imply they themselves were boring or dull. Rather, their lives and deaths read more like a shopping list than flesh and bones murdered victims. I don't this was the author's intent but as always, too much attention is focused on the sick bastids (puppies would totally denigrate noble canines) who commit callous acts and a disproportionate less time is spent on celebrating the worth and lives of the murderer's VICTIMS.
The author failed, miserably, to make the crimes OR the perpetrator anything but dull. I do, in a very heartfelt manner, apologize to the family and friends of the victims! It's not at all my intention to imply they themselves were boring or dull. Rather, their lives and deaths read more like a shopping list than flesh and bones murdered victims. I don't this was the author's intent but as always, too much attention is focused on the sick bastids (puppies would totally denigrate noble canines) who commit callous acts and a disproportionate less time is spent on celebrating the worth and lives of the murderer's VICTIMS.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews